NEW FUNDING PITCHED FOR SPORTS CLUBS IN MORWELL ELECTORATE

Sports clubs in the Morwell Electorate can be supported to create new opportunities to get women, girls and less active Victorians playing sport thanks to around $400,000 in VicHealth grants now up for grabs.

The latest round of VicHealth’s Active Club Grants, which open today, provides funding of up to $3,000 or up to $10,000 to community sport clubs to create more opportunities for women and girls and social sport options.

This year’s grants are simpler and easier for local clubs to apply. The new application process is designed to ensure club administrators and volunteers can spend more time helping their communities get active, and less time on administration.

Russell Northe encourages local clubs to apply for the funding to help them create more opportunities for Latrobe City residents to become more active and improve their health.

“This is about making grassroots sports more accessible to Latrobe City locals, so everyone can get involved in the sports they love,” Mr Northe said.

“We want everyone to get active and embrace a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their age, gender or ability.

“I know how hard our local clubs are working so I encourage you to take this opportunity to apply for a grant so we can support new opportunities to try and get more people active.” said Mr Northe

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said that with less than a third of us getting enough physical activity to benefit our health it was critical that sporting clubs were supported to offer more opportunities to get people moving.

“Our research shows many Victorians are not fitting the recommended amount of physical activity into their week,” Ms Rechter said.

“Women’s participation in sport is still lower than men’s, and due to many factors, including a lack of time, opportunities and confidence, many women and girls find it hard to get active.

“We also want to encourage sports clubs to offer new flexible and social sports programs to make it easier for people to make sport and physical activity a part of their everyday lives.”

“These grants will support providing more opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities to take part in sport.

It’s easy to apply! Clubs are encouraged to apply for the funding grants through the VicHealth website before round one closes at 4pm on Friday 31 August 2018. For further information or to apply online, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub.